The Tides of Fate
1040 Words
Rashel’s POV
I walked the length of the lavish room, my fingertips twitching over the delicate fabric of the garment Alpha Jethro had supplied. The place was extravagant, far different from the dismal cell I had fled. But luxury now meant nothing to me. I yearned to be with Alpha Seth, my husband, and the life we shared.
"Why won't you let me go?" My voice breaking with frustration, I begged Alpha Jethro. I have to be with Seth. I am not able to stay here.
Alpha Jethro leaned sloppily against the wall, his eyes fixed blankly. "You are not only visiting, Rashel. Your partner is me.
Mate?! I missed it. "I'm married already." I like Seth. I am not with you right now.
He sighed and started to smile faintly. "You're here now, and as my friend you're not going anywhere."
He seemed to be really determined. He appeared to like my suffering more the more I argued. My annoyance got to be intolerable. "Why did you turn over my project to someone else? It was meant to be my pack donation for Seth!
A flash of surprise passed across his face. "That endeavor held great significance for me. Viola took me to help me better grasp it.
"Violo?" I repeated, rage boiling inside me. "She's Seth's new rival, Luna's rival. She has no business having access to my work!
She behaved just for this reason. Jethro murmured gently, his eyes fixed on me with a mix of mirth and something else—possessiveness—that was deliberate.
When I rushed out of the room, Lisa—a Jethro pack member—was standing outside. She stared at me with hardly veiled contempt. Her voice tinged with annoyance, "Why are you in his private quarters?" she inquired.
"Because Jethro insists on having me here," I said. "Is a problem present?"
Lisa closed her eyes. He ought to have kept you in the guest room. Why is the particular treatment sought?
I shot back, "He considers me a special guest." But I would much sooner be back with my family.
Lisa huffed and left clearly unhappy. Her presence served as still another reminder of the complex network I was caught in.
Alpha Seth
Online news seemed to me like a flashbulb event. Alpha Jethro had discovered his destined mate, and a coronation event was just about to be announced. I had a flash of identification—Rashel's name rang back in my head.
It still amazed me. Her possible presence with Jethro turned my insides around. I had treated her cruelly, and now I might find her parading as someone else's mate. I felt guilt chewing at me.
Her new Luna, Viola, had been behaving oddly. Late at night, she was often on the phone, her voice subdued. My irritation with her had peaked and my interest had been aroused. I had questions and sought responses.
Rashel
Days went by, and my relationship with Jethro grew ever more complex. He insisted on me staying here until he could find a use for my project. Though he vowed to assist me in getting it back, every day seemed to last an eternity.
One morning I was among the last-minute getting ready for the forthcoming coronation ceremony. It struck me when I overheard Jethro and several of his pack members talking about the event—this was my opportunity to flee.
Though the guards at my door were alert, I had to find a way past them. I knew my chances of contacting Seth would decrease if I stayed much longer.
Alpha Seth
I knew I would eventually be confronting Viola. The secrecy was intolerable to me any more. I met her in our common area, my wrath hardly restrained. "Viola, who have you been corresponding with on the nightly phone calls?
She turned to look, seeming innocent. "I have been following friends and relatives. Is that a matter of concern?
I disagreed. "I have noticed the headlines on Jethro's mate. Whether you are participating in this is something I need to know.
Her face turned pale, and she stumbled for words. "I—well, I have been phoning but it is nothing."
None? Viola, you hide something. This relates to Rashel, not sure otherwise. My voice was strong and the irritation in it clear-cut.
Viola's calm broke. "Good, I have Jethro under contact. But I was trying to guide you toward improved situational awareness.
My heart ran. Like a sledgehammer, the insight came upon me. Rashel followed Jethro. My feelings were an angry tempest of concern. I had quick action to do.
Rashel
That evening I made my decision to move. I waited till a disturbance in the hall momentarily diverted the guards. I grabbed the chance and left my room into the hallways.
Though the estate was opulent and maze-like, I negotiated it with the will of a woman in crisis. I arrived in the guest room area, looking for an exit or at least a means of getting in touch with someone who might assist me.
My search led me upon a room containing something unanticipated—my project file. Sitting on a table, the exact one Jethro mentioned. I snatched it and felt hope explode.
But I heard feet behind me before I could decide what to do next. Heart thumping, I turned to find Alpha Jethro himself standing at the doorway.
His voice hard and forceful, he asked, "Leaving so soon?"
I pulled the file to my chest. I have to go back to Jethro, my husband. Nothing is right here.
He moved forward, eyes fixed firmly. You are nowhere going from here. You belong here, right here with me.
Frustration boiling up, I sent him a nasty look. "You cannot keep me here against will!"
Jethro's countenance grew stiff. And what would happen if I told you I intended not to let you go? Rasher, you are my friend. I will do whatever necessary to have you.
I backed off as he progressed, clutching the file like a lifeline. I had to flee, but now Jethro closing in caught me between hope and despair.
I realized, in that instant, that I was running out of time.
- Writer
